Ivelina Ivanova/ Book Edition

Ivelina Ivanova is a documentary photographer based in Bulgaria. Her work is dedicated to the intersection of mental health, social and civic engagement, and visual storytelling. Her practice focuses on the therapeutic potential of photography, utilizing creative expression to navigate difficult emotions and catalyze social change. She is dedicated to documenting the processes of resilience, social trends and personal transformation.

“Anatomy of Strength” is a photographic project exploring the link between domestic violence and the psychosomatic imprints left on the human body. Through visual metaphors, each photograph is mapped to a specific anatomical point, illustrating how trauma manifests physically, often settling deep beneath the surface, beyond what the eye can see. From the sensation of cognitive fog and paralysis to the struggle to reclaim one’s own skin, the project shifts the focus away from the obvious. When discussing domestic violence, we often center our attention on visible bruises and scars, yet we rarely speak openly about the invisible residue: the feeling of walking on eggshells, the knot in the stomach, or the stone in one’s throat. This project is an attempt to give form to the unspoken and to name the weight that lingers just beneath the skin.